Guelph - Preservation Park - Hanlon Creek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

Preservation Park, south of Kortright, is a 27 hectare bike free area of looping trails through forest and wetlands.

This picture was taken here.

Guelph - Hanlon Creek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This trail runs south between Stone Road and Kortright and then continues into Preservation Park. The trail entrance at Stone Road is a little hard to find since it's in an area of strip malls and highly developed - look for the trail entry sign by the gas station (if it's still there).
Once past the stores along Stone Road it follows the creek behind residences and through neighbourhood parks - urban - some parts are paved.
Once into Preservation Park it's quite natural.

A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Speed River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

Good trail for cross country skiing as well as hiking during the winter.

This picture was taken here.

Guelph - Speed River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This trail follows alongside the Speed River from Speedvale Ave to Victoria Road. Riverside Park encompasses the trail between Speedvale and Woodlawn - you can travel on either side of the river. North of Woodlawn the trail runs along the southeast side of the river - this is a more natural forested area, a favourite for walkers as well as cyclists.


A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Guelph - Silvercreek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

Centennial Park is a good place for some sledding.

This picture was taken here.

Guelph - Silvercreek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This trail starts near the covered bridge at Gordon Street and follows the south side of the Speed River down to near the Hanlon Expressway then heads south through more or less residential areas until it meets with the Hanlon Creek trail across from the Stone Road Mall.



A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Guelph - Eramosa River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This picture was taken here - near Lyon's Park.

Guelph - Eramosa River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This trail starts at the covered bridge where the Speed and Eramosa rivers meet and runs along the north side of the Eramosa River as a stone dust trail good for walking, cycling and wheelchairs. When the trail reaches Victoria road you must cross the bridge to the south side where a natural path continues along until Stone Road. Total length is about 4 km.

A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Guelph - Downtown Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

Skating on the Speed River opposite the River Run Centre.

This picture was taken here.

Guelph - Downtown Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This trail runs along the Speed River between Speedvale Ave and Gordon Street (near the covered bridge) for about 3.6 km total. Parts of the trail are finished, but other sections, e.g north of Markle Park require you to walk or cycle alongside the rail line (which is active but seldom used) - a bit rough but certainly doable.


A PDF document of this trail map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Guelph - CNR Spurline Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

The CNR Spurline Trail is an urban trail running, as it does, behind houses, beside schools and businesses - despite that it's a more natural and pleasant environment to traverse than the surrounding roads. The trail itself is earth, not concrete, so is popular with joggers as well.

This photo was taken here.

Guelph - CNR Spurline Trail - Royal Recreational Trail

This 1.6 km trail runs along an abandoned rail line (tracks removed) between the corner of London and Edinburgh Road, through Exhibition Park, over to Dufferin Street - you can continue past that over to the the Downtown Trail which runs along the Speed River.

Walking and cycling are permitted - and it is wheelchair accessible.

A PDF document of this trail map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

Guelph Covered Bridge - Royal Recreational Trail

In 1992 400 volunteers from the Timber Framers Guild worked near the confluence of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers building this covered bridge using an 1880's design. There is a video of the " 120' pedestrian lattice-covered bridge over the Speed River in Guelph, Ontario. Dramatic scenes of some 400 people raising by hand the two large side trusses of the bridge, assembling the roof, and then winching and pushing the completed bridge into position over the river. Scenic views of the finished structure."

This picture was taken here.

Guelph Trails Overview

Guelph, Ontario, located at the confluence of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers, is blessed with trails, many of which run alongside the rivers. Hiking trails, biking trails, some easy, some a bit of a challenge - but all enjoyable.

Let's start with an overview of the city's official trail system - the Royal Recreational Trail - which is comprised of several connecting trails located throughout the city.

A PDF document of this overview map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.

You can also download a map of the entire city and a map of the downtown area.